EdTrust recently published a report using an "equity analysis" to critique states' accountability plans, recommending several steps states might take to improve their systems. Despite the language of "equity" and attention to "asset-based" framings of educational data, the vision of what high-quality accountability…

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) allocates funds to States through statutory formulas based primarily on census poverty estimates and the cost of education in each State. To receive funding, a State plan that includes a description of its accountability system must be submitted to the Department for review and approval. For the…

This guide describes key steps for developing a well-thought-out plan for evaluating a State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP). The guide provides considerations for how to incorporate each step into an evaluation plan, as well as a series of worksheets that correspond to each step and can be used to facilitate the planning process. The guide,…

This report presents the findings of an analysis of states' FFY 2018 State Systemic Improvement Plans (SSIPs), submitted to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in April 2020. It specifically addresses how assessments were included in states' State-Identified Measurable Results (SIMRs). For states with…

Ohio's Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement serves as a guide to promote evidence-based language and literacy teaching and learning for all learners from birth to grade 12. Literacy acquisition affects learners' access to, and interest in, content at all grade levels and in all aspects of their lives. In light of this, literacy is not treated as a…

Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) provide the information and tools needed to inform policies, practices and decisions at every level to improve student achievement and system performance. It is equally important that there are policies and practices to protect personally identifiable information and to ensure the confidentiality and…

This letter is submitted to comment on the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) proposed revisions to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's (ARRA) State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), as published in the September 23, 2011, Federal Register. Overall, the Data Quality Campaign believes the proposed changes strike a sensible balance: they…

Much more work--and better results--will be needed before Stark County's future vision for its schools and communities is realized. And Stark County's education stakeholders are committed to completing this journey. But at this critical juncture in the state of Ohio's efforts to improve the performance of its schools and the students they serve,…

To address key policy and programmatic questions and help improve student and system performance, states must work to link data across the early childhood, postsecondary and workforce (P-20/workforce) spectrum and share this information with appropriate stakeholders. This issue brief highlights current efforts in California, Florida, Indiana, and…

The major policy points made in the paper are that: (1) New York State needs a comprehensive system of occupational education which serves all persons needing job preparation and which uses all available public and private resources; (2) such a system will make available to every person a continuum of educational opportunities beginning in early…

As the 21st century approaches, the question about what the appropriate means and ends in education should be has become embedded within a larger societal concern for fostering greater equity and excellence. This paper raises a set of historical and contemporary issues related to understanding educational reform and school improvement within the…

This document reports on the evaluation of eight women's studies programs in the State University of Florida System. After reviewing the development of women's studies as a discipline, sections of the report cover measures of quality and vigor in women's studies programs, curriculum, women's studies programs as community builders on and off…

The performance and goals of the Colorado education system are evaluated in this report, with a focus using progress indicators to establish baseline levels of performance. Colorado 2000's six goals are based on the National Education Goals established in 1989, and are described under the following headings: (1) "Readiness"; (2)…

Written for local, State, and Federal vocational educators, this publication discusses the feasibility of implementing recommendations from some recent evaluations of educational excellence. Criteria for estimating the appropriateness of evaluation findings are given, and recommendations are offered for creating an infrastructure among local,…

This biennial report outlines many of the steps taken to improve North Carolina's system of public schools. It also outlines what actions are needed to continue the progress. Although the state has experienced rising SAT scores and a decreasing dropout rate, several challenges remain: decrease class size, provide funds for school facilities,…